Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Kavanaugh.
Hi Gabriela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began drinking “café con leche” on Saturday mornings as a young girl. My mother loved coffee. Her father had a prominent coffee roasting company in Venezuela called Caballo Rojo Café. Growing up we would travel throughout Latin America and my mom would take us to coffee farms and roasteries. I was a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill when I started Caballo Rojo Coffee and all of my history with coffee started coming together. I started learning about the importance of direct trade relationships on the farmers that I had met. I taught myself how to roast and started working as a barista. As an ode to my Abuelo, I named my company Caballo Rojo Coffee. Later in 2016 I bought a 1kg roaster and began selling my coffee in local grocery stores and the farmers market in Durham. In 2019 I was able to buy a 6kg roaster and we partnered with The Oak House in Downtown Durham. We put our roaster in their space and they began selling our coffee in their coffee shop. Five years later we are now working on our own coffee shop in our neighborhood of North Durham. This has been a dream of ours for since establishing ourselves in Durham, and we are so thankful for all of our community’s support.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I honestly didn’t know if this business would last past college. I saw it as something I had to try to pursue and see what happens. For a few months after graduation, I didn’t think I would ever roast again. That’s when a friend offered to let me put my 1kg roaster in their garage and start learning more. This was a huge financial commitment for me and my partner, Dustin. We have spent nights and early mornings preparing for large orders, setting up for the market, and getting ready for other events. Making decisions to keep going with the business have been the biggest bumps we have had to face. I truly believe that we can’t and probably shouldn’t do things alone. With Dustin, none of this could have happened. He has supported me emotionally, mentally, financially, and physically. I am so thankful that we both get to look back at the bumps and see how far we have grown as individuals and a couple. We are definitely better because of this journey and we feel humbled for the success we have had. It has felt very surreal since I started selling my coffee in college roasting out of my apartment. It used to take me one hour to roast a pound of coffee, and I definitely wasn’t making any money off of it. Now we can produce ten pounds in half an hour. I’m just very grateful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Caballo Rojo coffee is a Latina-founded, woman-run coffee roasting company. We roast in Durham, NC, and are proud members of the Durham community. I started this business as a tribute to my Venezuelan Grandfather who had a coffee roastery called Caballo Rojo Café. What sets us apart is our decision to prioritize our community and customers. We believe that every person deserves a good cup of coffee, the way they like it. We specialize in making specialty-grade coffee that isn’t too acidic. We showcase the amazing beans that our farmers produce, by roasting each coffee in a way that brings out its natural flavors. We sell our coffee wholesale to grocery stores, businesses, coffee shops, and restaurants. Currently, you can find us roasting weekly out of The Oak House in downtown Durham, you can also purchase a cup of coffee there and try our coffee. On Saturdays, you can find us at the Durham Farmers Market where you can buy cups of coffee and bags of freshly roasted coffee. We are also working on a coffee shop of our own in North Durham, where we will be moving our roasting production and selling fresh coffee. You can also order coffee from our website and even set up a subscription.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The best way to network is by genuinely caring about your customers and those you meet. I believe that be an authentic you help others feel comfortable and seen. This has helped me connect with people and has allowed people to connect with me.
Pricing:
- Our retail bags of coffee range from $14-15.
- Our 5lb bags of coffee range from $80-88.
Contact Info:
- Email: gabriela@caballorojocoffee.com
- Website: caballorojocoffee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caballorojocoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caballorojocoffee
- Other: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/neighborhood-coffee-shop-on-north-roxboro-street/x/27135132#/
Image Credits
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